Membrane bioreactor treatment of commonly used organophosphate pesticides

Abstract

Five pesticide formulations registered for use in Canada containing organophosphate-insecticide active ingredients azinphos-methyl, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, malathion and phorate were subjected to treatment by membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology. The target active ingredients were introduced to the MBR at ppm level concentrations. The biodegradation of these compounds was analyzed daily using selected ion monitoring gas chromatography−mass spectrometry (GC/MS-SIM) following extraction of the analytes using solid-phase extraction (SPE). Amounts measuring 83 % to 98 % of the target analytes were removed with steady-state concentrations being reached within 5 days of their introduction. The dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, and total heterotrophic bacterial population were monitored daily to ensure optimal conditions for biodegradation. The quality of the effluent from the MBR was assessed daily through spectrophotometric methods. Measurements were conducted for the concentration of ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, total and reactive phosphorus, as well as the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the effluent. This study demonstrated that the MBR technology is feasible and efficient for treatment of organophosphate pesticides without introducing additional chemical additives.

Keywords:

• Membrane bioreactor
• organophosphate pesticides
• wastewater treatment
• biodegradation.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support from Acadia University and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). In addition, the authors would like to thank Dr. Yiming Zeng (Superstring MBR Technology, Corp.), Dr. Martin Tango (School of Engineering, Acadia University), and Jim Frazee (E&Q Consulting Limited) for their technical assistance and helpful discussion in this project.